Macroevolutionary trends of brain mass in Primates

Author(s)
Melchionna, M
Mondanaro, A
Serio, C
Castiglione, S
Di Febbraro, M
Rook, L
Diniz-Filho, J A F
Manzi, G
Profico, A
Sansalone, Gabriele
Raia, P
Publication Date
2020-01
Abstract
<p>A distinctive trait in primate evolution is the expansion in brain mass. The potential drivers of this trend and how and whether encephalization influenced diversification dynamics in this group are hotly debated. We assembled a phylogeny accounting for 317 primate species, including both extant and extinct taxa, to identify macroevolutionary trends in brain mass evolution. Our findings show that Primates as a whole follow a macroevolutionary trend for an increase in body mass, relative brain mass and speciation rate over time. Although the trend for increased encephalization (brain mass) applies to all Primates, hominins stand out for their distinctly higher rates. Within hominins, this unique trend applies linearly over time and starts with Australopithecus africanus. The increases in both speciation rate and encephalization begin in the Oligocene, suggesting the two variables are causally associated. The substitution of early, stem Primates belonging to plesiadapiforms with crown Primates seems to be responsible for these macroevolutionary trends. However, our findings also suggest that cognitive capacities favoured speciation in hominins.</p>
Citation
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 129(1), p. 14-25
ISSN
1095-8312
0024-4066
Link
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Title
Macroevolutionary trends of brain mass in Primates
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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